He went into the mining industry, first as a mining engineer, at various sites around England, and then became Managing Director of Bolsover Colliery. He was one of the two original production members of the National Coal Board. He was awarded a knighthood in the
1949 New Year Honours. Regarded as the country’s leading expert on coal production, he has been consistent in his expressed view that one of the solutions to the industry’s problems is harder work by the miners – a view that has not altogether endeared him to the miners and their trade union leaders. The
Northampton Chronicle and Echo of Tuesday 12 December 1950 headlines 'Intemperate language by Sir Eric Young' and notes that Philip Noel-Baker had decided to sack Young on 23 November and informed him then that he would not be re-appointed to the National Coal Board. On asking Sir Young for a statement, he said: 'There seems to be a conflict of opinion on what was said and done. The public may form their own judgement.' ==Family==